River Ridge Winery

Situated in a century-old farmhouse, River Ridge Winery is nestled within the hills where Crowley’s Ridge joins the Mississippi River north of Commerce, Missouri on County Road 321. Owners Jerry and Joannie Smith produce their wines from their own 4-acre vineyard on the hills behind the winery. The hand-tended French hybrid grapes produce dry and semi-dry wines with wines. Dry wines include Chardonnay, Vignoles, Vidal, Cynthian a, Chambourcin, and our signature wine Serendipity. Semi-dry wines include Villard Blanc and Vin Gris. Dessert wines include Vidal Fumé, New York Muscat, and Vignoles. A tasting room, unique gift shop, and a casual place for fine wine and good food, THE FERMENTATION ROOM. Open daily 12 noon – 6:00 pm.

DirectionsFrom Cape Girardeau-Take I-55 South to the Scott City exit; exit 89. Turn left onto Route K. Take Route K through Scott City. Where Route K meets Route N, turn right and go over the railroad tracks. Follow Route N to Route E. Turn Left on Route E. This will take you to Commerce. Follow the sign to RiverRidge Winery.

These grapes come from Hahn Family Vinevard near Fruitland, MO. the excellent growing season in 2003 led to beautifully ripened grapes. We have made this wine in a rich and buttery style to compliment many food options.

Cynthiana, also know as Norton, is the Missouri state grape. We take our Cynthiana to the very edge of the envelope. While many vineyards harvest Cynthiana in mid September. We pick ours in mid to late October. This is accomplished be placing 17ft wide plastic netting over each row in order to protect the grapes from birds. Accordingly, our Cynthiana is picked extremely ripe, producing a wine which we describe as our "excess wine". Excess color, excess flavor, excess tannin, excess alcohol. You won't find a bigger dry red wine than our Cynthiana. 13.8% alcohol

This semi-dry white is a blend of Vignoles and Seyval with a rich finish. Perfect for your mid-day meal. We have a lot of fun with this wine. Our best selling gift shop item is our T-shirt "I had a Nooner at River Ridge Winery".

We are not trying to confuse you. The Missouri state grape Cynthiana/Norton are one in the same except the stories that come with them from region to region. Our story is simple. We had one big tank of wine. We pumped half into French Oak (our Cynthiana) and the other half into American Oak (this Norton). This is our first use of American Oak and we are pleased with the results. The Norton tends to be spicy and oakier. This wine will age wonderfully, lay one down for 5 years and see.

rhodiessays... Norton Wine Review: River Ridge Winery is a friendly out-from-the-beaten path winery with a Norton offering that is unique in that you get to contrast two barreled Norton wines. The same grapes from the same location, but one called Norton (aged in American Oak) and the other named Cynthiana (aged in French Oak). We were more impressed with the Norton grape aged in French oak which was able to "talk" in softer tones as we enjoyed late summer at this setting. The owner went out of his way to take us up to the high bluff area in his personal car where the Norton grapes were peacefully growing in an undisturbed location away from traffic. What a nice experience. Yes, we will return to taste how these Norton wines mature in the years to come.